How You Should Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors

November 08, 2016
By
Roth Heating & Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

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When you being running your heating system and close your home against
the winter air, the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure increases. You
can lessen the threat it poses to your family’s well-being by keeping
your furnace professionally maintained. For complete protection though,
you also need to know how to check and maintain the
carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

Why Checking Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors Matters

Carbon monoxide gas is a byproduct of incomplete combustion of any fossil
fuel, so it can be produced by your
gas furnace, hot water heater or kitchen range. In small amounts, CO causes flu-like
illness. Exposure to a high level of the gas can render a person unconscious
and quickly cause death. Since CO has no color, taste or odor, you won’t
know you’re at risk unless a carbon monoxide detector sounds a warning alarm.

Advice for Testing and Maintaining Your CO Detectors

Here’s some helpful advice on how to test and maintain well-functioning
carbon monoxide detectors in your home:

Read the manual for each detection device you own and follow any brand-specific
guidelines from the manufacturer for proper use and care.

In general, it’s wise to check the functionality of your detectors
monthly by holding down the “test” button for a few seconds.
If you don’t hear a beep, put in new batteries and test again. If
the device makes no sound, it needs replacement.

Replace all device batteries twice a year. You might find it easier to
remember if you do this when you’re changing the clocks for daylight
saving time.

CO detectors lose the ability to sense the gas after five years of use,
so replace all of your devices when they reach that age. So you don’t
forget to do so, choose a model with a replacement alert feature.

If you want plug-in or wired detectors, buy detectors with battery backup
so they’ll still function if a
power outage